Islam in America

This is a section of a paper (seems to be turning into a book)  that I have started writing about Islam in America. This segment is in response to a question about Islamophobia that a sister recently asked.

Other relevant segments : How the prophet handled  Islamophobia ;  and why I love my country ;

Part 1 : The Nature of Creation

When Allah created Adam, He told the angels that Adam and his descendents are meant to be vicegerents[1] on earth(إِنِّى جَاعِلٌ۬ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ خَلِيفَةً۬‌ۖ). This means that the human race is intended to be a responsible party on earth : to take care of this earth, take care of each other, live honorably, and to keep the covenant with their Lord.

(ps: the numbers in blue are footnotes, found at the end of the article)

Many generations came after Adam. These generations would often forget their covenant with their Lord. Allah would then send prophets to these people. Many prophets were sent after Adam. There are common themes which were exhibited by all the prophets, as the Quran narrates. These prophets came to remind their people and to guide them. They came with a beautiful attitude, related often in the Quran as : “ya qawmy”: “Oh my people”. They felt a deep relation to “their people”. They called them to good things. Generally, these prophets came with two messages:

1. The first message is (يَـٰقَوۡمِ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ) : “Oh My people, worship God”. The first message is to remind and regulate the relation between the creator and the creation. Don’t forget your Lord who created you and loves you, and sustains you. Live a life of righteousness and love of your Lord
2. The second part of the message addresses the needs of society. It is a message that addresses the specific challenges that are faced in society. It is a message of societal reform. The prophets identified certain problems faced by society and worked hard to advocate for change and reform in these particular areas.

Every prophet came with the first message. The first part of the message (Oh my people, worship your Lord) was common between all the prophets. The second part of the message, which deals with the reform needed in society, differed from one prophet to the next. It depended on the specific problems faced by the society. Each prophet called for a different type of reform. Surat Hud & Al-Araf in the Quran mention many prophets and their messages. For instance, prophet Su3aib in the Quran is mentioned as such:

وَإِلَىٰ مَدۡيَنَ أَخَاهُمۡ شُعَيۡبً۬ا‌ۚ قَالَ يَـٰقَوۡمِ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ مَا لَڪُم مِّنۡ إِلَـٰهٍ غَيۡرُهُ ۥ‌ۖ وَلَا تَنقُصُواْ ٱلۡمِڪۡيَالَ وَٱلۡمِيزَانَ‌ۚ إِنِّىٓ أَرَٮٰڪُم بِخَيۡرٍ۬ وَإِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ عَلَيۡڪُمۡ عَذَابَ يَوۡمٍ۬ مُّحِيطٍ۬

(And to the people of Madyan, we sent them their brother (Prophet) Shuaib. He said : Oh my people, worship God, you have no God but Him. And do not unjustly handle the scale (in trading). I recognize the good in you, and I fear for you the punishment of a certain day (Day of Judgment). )

As all other prophets, Prophet Shuaib had two parts to his message : (a)Worshiping God, and (b)addressing a specific societal reform – in this case: unjust economic dealings between people.

The prophet’s paradigm : “Oh My People”

Another relevant observation is how each prophet came as a loving and caring leader to his community. Every prophet came as a “brother” to His people[2]. Even Prophet Lot was called a “brother” to His people[3]. No sin is too great for God to send a loving messenger with a warning to his people to remind them and guide them. The prophets came as a mercy and guidance to their people. Every prophet came with the message “oh my people”. The paradigm was not one of anger or hate, but one of love and care. If, after many years of dawa (calling others to God) and hard work[4], the people reject the message of the prophets, Allah may then punish them in this life. Like a father who cares for his children who may be going astray, the prophets labored diligently for the benefit and health of their people. Prophet Su’aib in the verse above further tells the: “I see a lot of good in you, and I fear for you a punishment from your lord”. This attitude of loving their people, caring for them, and wanting the best for them is one that is a hallmark of these prophets who came to their people.

America is “our people”

Today, Muslims need to embrace America as our people. America, with its entire population, are our “qawm”;  they are the people whom we love and desire the utmost goodness for. Just like the prophet cared for his people – who were not Muslims – we need to care for our people. Prophet Muhammad was sent as a Mercy to mankind. Muslims in America today are the extension of this mercy.

The verse: “oh my people” is mentioned 47 times in the Quran by many prophets. Each prophet comes and speaks to his people. It is a loving term that is supposed to highlight the deep relation. Like calling someone and saying “Oh my son”. The prophet’s people were not just the “Muslims” but everyone in society.

Every prophet had a social reform message as part of his calling. This was in addition to the message of Worshiping God. The implication is that Muslims today, as they call to their lord, need to balance between both messages. Also, just like every prophet had a constant message (Worship God) and a changing message (social reform), American Muslims today should do the same. The reform is based on the needs of society. Muslims need to have a contribution to the problems in society, because they love and care for their people (the American people). This is from a deeply religious perspective and obligation. Muslims must contribute to the solutions of the financial crisis, economic problems, social problems, moral decay, child prostitution, unemployment, deterioration of the family, and so on.

This does not mean that American Muslims cannot stand for justice all over the world. We should indeed stand for justice everywhere. But Islam accepts a paradigm for circles of obligations. A person needs to take care of her family first. As American Muslims, America is our immediate circle of obligation.[5]

Just like every prophet was called a brother to his people, Muslim Americans should feel a sense of brotherhood, commitment, and responsibility to our “qawm”, our people, our brothers/sisters in America – the larger American society.

Part2 : How the prophet dealt with Islamophobia

Similar to other prophets in the past (Moses, Jesus, others), and like some of us today, Prophet Muhammad PBUH was initially rejected, and faced “Islamophobia”. He was called call sorts of names:  كذاب ساحر كاهن مجنون   (Liar, Sorcerer, Magician, Crazy, …)[1]

(ps: the numbers in blue are footnotes, found at the end of the article)

The Meccans sent kids running after him throwing stones at Him – May Allah’s blessings be on Him.[2]

All Meccans started to call him “مذمم “ – “Muzamam”, which rhymes with Muhammad – a name which means : the ugly one, or the crazy one.  Everyone would call him this name. When he passes a crowd, they would say: Muzamam came .. or Muzamam went. This was very tough on the companions and believers who loved him so much, and who would sacrifice everything for him. Here is the most honorable man who walked the earth being called the worst of names. The prophet saw that this was so tough on the believers, so he would sooth them and say: “they are talking about another person. My name is Muhammad. They are talking about a man called Muzamam, not about me”. May Allah’s blessings and Mercy be upon you, oh prophet of Allah. [3]

They attacked his family, friends and companions. They imprisoned him and all of his tribe in (شعب أبو طالب). [4]

His own uncle Abu Lahab would follow him around Mecca. Whenever the prophet wanted to speak to someone about Islam, his uncle would interrupt and say: “look, he is my nephew; I know him very well; he is a crazy man; don’t listen to him!” Then the person would say: “well, if he is really your uncle, he must know you better. Go somewhere else”. Of course when the attack is coming from relatives and close ones, it is even more difficult. [5]

He faced Islamophobia similar to the prophets and reformers before him and after him. But he overcame this Islamophobia. He overcame it by focusing on his message and staying on his message – which was : Oh my people (ya qawmy) .. Oh my beloved people : worship Allah, you have no God but Him .. and reforming society. [6]

If you read the Quran, including verses that were sent during these tough years of persecution and Islamophobia in Mecca, there was no victimhood mentality. The Quran was not obsessed with the victimization of the believers. On the contrary, the Quran was reminding the believers that this is to be expected. And to the persecutors, the Quran was focusing on its message: reforming society, the greatness of God, the creation of Allah, the truthfulness of the message, removing ills from society, removing oppression from society.  [7]

In the midst of the darkest moments, with the highest levels of anti Muslim attacks, the prophet never hated his people[8]. He loved Mecca, and cried as he was being forced to leave Mecca as the Meccans were trying to kill him. When some of the companions asked him to curse the unbelieving Meccans, He prayed for them, and reminded his companions that: I was sent as a Mercy to Mankind, not as damnation. [9]

During a trip to Al-Taiif, the tribe rejected the message of the Prophet, and sent kids throwing rocks at him, until he bled, May Allah’s blessings and mercy be on Him. Towards the end of this trip, Allah sent the “Angel of the Mountains” to the Prophet, telling him: “I have been instructed by Allah to ask you: if you wish, I will crumble these two mountains on top of this tribe and destroy them.” In a moment of deep affection and emotion, the prophet cried to His Lord, asking him to guide his people, make them role models to others, and to accept from him His deeds. [10]

He called to His Lord, and he advocated for reforming the ills in his society: slavery, usury, oppression of women, usurping the rights of the weak, indiscriminant killings, disbelief,…  [11]

He civilized the Arabs and provided them with a new mission.

In the MAS Tarbiya and Ilm Camp, a young brother shared his life story with us. He was in 5^th grade when 9.11 happened. He was in public school. His parents had emigrated 15 years ago from Syria. He did not know how to interpret 9.11. It was shown all over television in his elementary school the day it happened. He had very good friends in public school. Every day in recess he would play basketball with his friends. A few days after 9.11 his mother bought him some new cloth. He was so happy that he was wearing new cloth to school the next day. But when he went to school (2 days after 9/11), no one would speak to him in class. In recess, he went to play basketball with his friends as usual. But no one would play with him. He was not sure why this was happening. He never mentioned that he was a Muslim to anyone. So he started to play alone. A few minutes later about 10 guys ganged on him, his previous friends, and “jumped him”, or beat him up very bad. He went home crying with blood all over his torn new cloth.

A few months later, his parents decided to take the kids and go back to Syria. He had never lived in Syria. His father put him in a public school in Syria. His Arabic was very weak. His friends in school asked him: “where are you from?” He said, “I am from America”. So again, he got beat up pretty hard by his new “friends”. When he walks in school, people would shout: “down with America!”. He got in nasty fights every day.

He spent his time in Syria dreaming of coming back home to America. After less than a year, his father, a US-citizen, decided to take the family back to the USA, not being able to fit well in Syria. At the airport in Syria, they realized that his mother’s green card had expired. They had to cancel the trip. For the next year, every week, the family drove 6 hours to the US embassy in order to renew the green card. Nothing worked. Four years later, the green card was finally renewed by Immigration. They were finally able to come back home to America. He was so happy. But a few months after arriving to the US, he felt that he missed living in Syria.

The story hits a cord with some of the immigrant families in the US – especially with the 2^nd generation. America is their home, but it is suspicious of them – almost un-welcoming. When they go back to their parents’ homeland, they cannot fit there either. It is a difficult to say the least.

It is debatable whether the 1^st generation immigrants will fit if they “go back home”. It is inconceivable that the 2^nd generation would be thinking of staying anywhere but to stay home, in America. America is our beautiful land that we cherish and love. Even some question our relation to America, it should be 100% clear to us: America is home. America is our people. America is where, as American Muslims, we will focus our energy to advocate for goodness and justice, and advocate for change. This is not only our right, but, more importantly, America’s right upon us.

It is time for the Muslim community to change its paradigm with respect to “our community” challenges. As American Muslims, it is crucial that we make the leap and understand that “our” challenges and priorities are not just the internal challenges facing the Muslim community (such as Islamophobia), but rather the challenges facing America. This is what Islam teaches me. Prophet Muhammad came as a mercy to all those around him, to his community, and not just to the Muslims.

America is a beautiful land. If you want to know about America, don’t just ask the indigenous, but ask the immigrant who has seen other places, and chose to live in this beautiful land. For me, America is the best place to be. This is not just from an “economic” perspective, but even from a purely Islamic perspective. (read: why I love my country)

It is time for Muslims in America to realize that “our” challenges must include America’s challenges. We must seek to contribute to the solution, guided by our faith, and guided by our love and care for our people, and our country.

Take a look at this program which should make us cry: The problem of teenage prostitution in America. In our own backyard! “According to the FBI, more than 100,000 children are sold for sex in the U.S. each year” ! I believe that Allah will ask us about our contribution to the solution in the Day of Judgment. What are we doing to solve these problems?

This reminds me of the early message of Islam, when, from the beginning of its message, Islam was fiercely opposed to the abuse and oppression of women in society, including the acts of preferring male children, and even killing female babies. It is time that we contribute and provide real solutions. It is time for us to come down on the streets and solve our people’s problems, in America.

Survey Result  (posted on 9/16)  indicate that 85% of the Muslim respondents are for option #1, not to move the center. 13% are for moving it to another suitable location.

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This is question many people are  asking these days.

On 9/13, Tariq Ramadan put out an argument in the Washington Post that the mosque should be moved, since this will help ease a tense situation. Sharif El Jamal, who is the majority owner in the real estate property, says there is no way we are moving. Imam Abdul Raoof says: all options are on the table.

What do you think? Should the Islamic center be moved? why or why not?

Share your thoughts below, and take this SURVEY to let us know what you think. Will share with you results of the survey in the next couple of days. Feel free to send the link to others.

PS: Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf gave a brilliant interview on the Council of Foreign Relations on 9/13 … You can watch the hour interview here.

I was deeply touched today with the tremendous show of support from the interfaith community in our  beautiful city of Boston. The words of these friends, colleagues and leaders touched my heart, and reminded me of the beautiful values that we cherish. The press conference in front of the MA State House was covered in TV and print media. Please sign the online petition that is created by the interfaith group in Boston.

This article in the Huffington Post highlights a most interesting Newsweeks poll.

• 24% of Americans think Obama is a Muslim. What is interesting is that this is almost double the percentage of those who thought he was a Muslim 2 years ago, during the election (only 13% during the election) ! (question 17)
• If you look at republicans in particular, 52% believe Obama to be trying to impose global Islam !! (A full 14 percent of Republicans said that it was “definitely true” that Obama sympathized with the fundamentalists and wanted to impose Islamic law across the globe. An additional 38 percent said that it was probably true — bringing the total percentage of believers to 52 percent.)
• 58% of Americans today do NOT know a Muslim at all. But this is lower than 2 years ago (63% did not know a Muslim in 2008). (question 18)
• Compared to 2 years ago, there are more Americans today (60%) who have a more favorable view of Muslims (about 7% more) (question 19)
• 23% say that they would NOT want a mosque in their neighborhood (question 20)
• 52% are worried about radicals within the US Muslim community (question 21)
• In a different poll (Pew Research), 85% of Americans say that they do not know much (or at all) about Islam

Reflections on these numbers:

• Some in America are looking for a way to blame a foreign evil enemy on our domestic problems (economy, wars, etc..). It seems that the best way to rally the troops, so to speak, is to blame a minority group (oh where have we seen this before?). In fact, these people will tell you, the reason Obama is so bad, and should be replaced as soon as possible, is that he is a closet Muslim! An African American leader recently said: they cannot call him the “N” word, so they will call him the new “M” word!
• It seems that there are more people today who are against Muslims (because they need to pin point an enemy, and find a something to blame) ; but also there are more people who are standing with Muslims (because of the tolerant values upon which our society and our constitution is built).
• There is a definite need for Muslims to reach out more. Muslims must come out of the closet and open their homes, houses of worship, and hearts to the larger society. It is not acceptable that 58% of society do not know a Muslim. Most likely one of these people is your neighbor.
• Most people who personally know a Muslim have a much more favorable view of Islam and Muslims.(this is from a different poll). This highlights the importance of Muslims reaching out.
• The worry about radical Muslims is a genuine worry. In fact, American Muslims are worried (or should be worried) about radical Muslims. However, it is obvious that this worry is currently inflated for political reasons. What should we do as American Muslims? 1) combat radicalism in our community: not in the Name of Islam! And 2) be much more inviting of the larger society into our community in order for them to know Islam and Muslims
• The bottom line is this : American Muslims are caught in the middle of a battle not of their own doing. Some in America need an enemy to “rally the troops”. They are positioning Islam/Muslims as this new enemy. Anything Muslim is bad for America. With the small microphone that we have, American Muslims are yelling out: this is not true. This is not what Islam is about at all. American Muslims must not get caught in this political fight though. We need to focus on reaching out to others – even if it is done individually and one on one. We need to decrease the chance that this hype would play in the hands of the extremists in either side. Because this is the stuff that extremism, on both sides, thrives on.

Your thoughts?

A friend called me last night, troubled that this national debate about Islam is taking place, while he cannot do much beside watch the news and get frustrated. “What can I do to contribute? “, he asked. “Is there anything you need from me?”

Well, I am so glad you asked! I have a list of things that if you do, you will contribute directly to this national debate.

Share your life with your friends: It is likely that you have friends and colleagues who are not Muslims. Find creative ways to share with them your views, and answer their questions about Islam and Muslims. These colleagues know you as a good person.  Don’t hesitate to let them know that you are Muslim. But do so in a natural way. Share with them of yourself, and give them a chance to ask you questions about your community and your faith. Find ways to generate a discussion. When was the last time you invited your non Muslim neighbor for lunch or dinner, or even Iftar. National polls repeatedly indicate that Americans who have a personal relation with a Muslim are much less likely to have negative views of Islam or Muslims. American Muslims are about 2% of the population. So, to reach everyone, every American Muslim should establish personal relations with 50 friends. This relation means that they are comfortable coming to you when they see something on TV that is negative about Muslims. Then we will see significant change.

Open up your community: It is likely that you are a member of a mosque or an Islamic center. Encourage the congregation to open up the mosque to the larger American society.   An Islamic center should be a place where non Muslims feel comfortable coming in. However this will not happen without you explicitly inviting them. We need to encourage our community to be comfortable with non Muslims at our centers. The right place to find out about Muslims is the mosque, not Fox News. But we have to invite them in, and make our centers a comfortable place for everyone to be. This way, the mosque is recognized as a positive force in the community. Here are some ideas: a visible sign outside the Islamic center (and on the web site) saying : “all are welcome” ; “come and learn about Islam and the Muslim community: every first Monday of the month at 6pm” ; regular open houses ; signs inside the mosque on what to do once you are in; training for our community to welcome anyone inside the Islamic center.

Get in the action, don’t just sit on the sidelines. There is a serious need for you, as a Muslim, to get more involved and engaged in your community. I don’t mean only the Muslim community, but also your larger community. Islam is a Mercy to mankind, and it is time that we practice this mercy that is due to our fellow citizens. You should become active in at least one committee or organization. Find a good cause that motivates you, and get engaged in it. It could be the local homeless shelter. Become a Big Brother / Big Sister, build a habitat for humanity, volunteer with an interfaith group, help re-elect your local politicians, get on the school board, or run for office. But get out of the “watching” mode, to the “action” mode. This volunteer engagement is what makes America great, and what builds communities. It is also a part of our faith to give back to society.

Pray for Muslims ; Pray for America.  Use this time in Ramadan to pray for peace and guidance for everyone : the Muslim Ummah, American Muslims, and the larger America society. Don’t underestimate the power of prayer and duas. Pray for Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, for your local leadership, for Islam in America, for our country,  for President Obama, and yes, for Newt Gingrich and Sarah Palin. The prophet prayed for similar characters in his own life time. Don’t forget to ask Allah for help when the going gets tough.

Learn more about Islam. The most important factor in this “Ground Zero Mosque” episode is ignorance. In order to eliminate or reduce ignorance, you need to light a candle. You need to know more about Islam to be able to answer the questions that America has about Islam. What is Islam? What is the role of Islam in America? What does Islam say about people of other faith? What about Jihad .. terrorism .. violence, etc…  Understand the answers to these questions, and be ready to share them with others.

Learn about America. America has a rich history of dealing with immigrants and new communities. While it is not always a perfect history, it is one that can be used to teach us all many lessons that are well needed today. Learn about this history, and place the history of Islam in America in this context.

For more information, check out MAS’ Protect the Mosques Campaign

A sister called me today expressing concern about the new message she feels is now more often expressed by Muslim leaders:  “we love America”.  “How can you love America?” She asked. How can you turn a blind eye to all the injustices both inside and outside America being done by our government and our people? Look at our history. Look at the current reality. Look at the invasion of Iraq, supporting Israel at any cost, the prejudices against Muslims, American Indians, African Americans, Japanese Americans, and other minorities. Look at the social inequalities in our own society between rich and poor. Look at all the promiscuity. When you say “I love America” you are putting yourself in the same side of the right wingers who use this as a blank support for our military expansions overseas. How can you keep saying “I love America”? Is this some sort of a new PR campaign? Well, it is not working!

What was even more interesting is that this sister is actually a white American convert. You wouldn’t think of it, right?

I shared with the sister the following:

-          Our love to our people, our love to our country, America, is not a blind love. It is the love that is advocated by the prophet PBUH: that causes us to correct the wrong, and to advocate for justice. Like a person who corrects his friend, out of love, not out of anger or envy.   It is the love expressed in the hadith: support your brother whether wrong or right. If wrong, help him correct the wrong.

-          A prophet sent to his people must care for, and love his people. Allah called each prophet a “brother” to his non-believing people. The prophet loved Mecca, although Mecca was turning away from him. He loved Mecca in the sense that he wanted the best for his people, and worked hard to help them be better. He was sad and crying when he was leaving Mecca. When an Angel came to him offering to destroy a neighboring tribe, he refused the offer, and prayed for their wellbeing and guidance. This is how we love America, our people.

-          Most Muslims love their country of origin, although their government may be doing horrible things.  An Egyptian has no more right to love his country more than I have a right to love mine.

-          This love does not stop us from speaking out and acting against injustices that are happening around us. However, to be authentic to our faith, we cannot only speak out against injustices that are happening to Muslims. The prophet did not advocate for justice only for Muslims; he was sent to stand up for Justice and mercy for everyone. That means recognizing and speaking out against injustice when it happens by Muslims against others (terrorism, oppression, rights of nonMuslim minorities, etc..). It also means speaking out against injustices happening against other people who are not Muslims.

-          Our recognition of the wrong in America does not mean that we should turn a blind eye to all the good that is in America. Like any other country, America is not perfect; but there is a lot of good in America. Some of this is good is well aligned with Islamic values: rights of minorities, freedom of religion, democracy(shura), respect for the rule of law, respect to others, fulfilling opportunities, willingness and desire to accept the truth, ability to change for the better, honesty, courage,  hospitality, etc…

-          In fact Islam recognized the good that the Meccans had, although they stood against the prophet in the beginning. There is often a section in Islamic history books that talks about why Allah chose Mecca to be a place to receive His message: generosity, strong belief, commitment, loyalty, strength, etc… Islam channeled this good in a better direction to become a more positive presence in the world. We must recognize the good that is in America, and not only look at the bad. To be fair, we should also use the same scale when we evaluate America as we would other countries. It is not fair to compare the worst of America with the best of Islamic history, or vice-versa.

In 2010, America’s ideals and principles are likely the closest that the human mind has come to divine guidance. This is in fact why Muslims often find it easier and more accommodating to practice our religion, and live our lives as Muslims in this beautiful land.

America also has a lot to learn and gain from Islam and Muslims. Islam offers a more complete knowledge of the creator who sent not just one, but many prophets. Islam is the same religion of Moses and Jesus (peace be upon them). Islam offers an authentic, practical, preserved, and dynamic religion that can be rationally and practically applied in our daily life. Islam offers wholesome solutions to many problems in the family and society. Islam offers a comprehensive view that, when applied correctly, fosters progress and development at all level. Islam offers an authentic, final message from the Creator that has not been altered by humans. Islam offers a balance between the material and the spiritual that makes a human being whole and fills a deep void in humanity today.

Therefore, as a Muslim, I am genuinely proclaiming to my Lord that I love America. I love the people to whom you have sent me, oh Lord. I love them and I genuinely care for their well being. I hope that they become the best in the world, and that Islam touches their lives like nothing has touched them before. I am grateful that you have given me the opportunity to take your message to this beautiful land of promise and opportunity. I pray that America will be a role model in the world, and will live up to your ideals. I look forward to strengthen the good ideals that are part of America. I look forward to change the injustices that are in America. I only ask you to allow us as Muslims to live up to this huge responsibility, and to appreciate your gift and opportunity that you have given us.